Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network

Regional strategic health authorities have been created as part of the Department of Healthâ€™s (DH) policy to strengthen commissioning of services by GPs and to save Â£250 million nationally, which will be re-invested in front-line services.

NHS North West, which is the new strategic health authority for the north west of England, replaces the Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Mersey and Cumbria and Lancs strategic health authorities.

Nationally, the 28 strategic health authorities have been reduced to 10.

The shape of primary care trusts (PCTs) and ambulance services has also been changed. PCTs now match the boundaries of local councils. There are now 24 PCTs in the north west of England. There is now one ambulance trust for the north west.